Despite concerns expressed by her trainer about the suitability of the trip, Media Queen showed just why she was the top of the female tree racing 'between the flags' with a very game display to get up in the shadows of the post to land the Tote Phone Bet 1850 238 669 Handicap Hurdle under Davy Russell.
Sent up by Robert Tyner to land a gamble at Loughanmore back in April before going on to win another two point-to-points for Derek O'Connor's uncle, Charlie Moore from Kilworth, the plan for the eight-year-old was to go back over hurdles at some stage and she did win at this discipline before when under the care of Denis Ahern, scoring in a two mile three furlong novice handicap hurdle at Limerick in November 2006.
At the 30th annual point-to-point awards Media Queen picked up the 2008/09 accolade for being the highest rated mare of the season. She received a rating of 104 and this was based on her three open wins, she beat French Fashion in a mares open and she then beat geldings at Taylorstown and Dawstown. She won on both the northern and southern circuits. She was one of only eleven mares to beat geldings this season in winners and open races a feat she achieved twice.
Now in Donie Hassett's yard, the morning price mover (4/1 into 7/4) and uneasy favourite on track (7/2) looked to have a huge task on her hands up the straight. But her stamina kicked into play and weaving between horses she swooped on the run in to prevail by the minimum margin from the well-backed Ruby Walsh mount Hopeful Venture (as big as 15/2 in the morning into 4/1).
Media Queen has a nice pedigree being an Oscar half-sister to Rathmore Castle.
